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Friday Roundup — Dec. 1, 2017

Welcome to the first (of many) News Roundups on Philly Football Daily. New Roundups are posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, with quick hits on what you may have missed and what is still to come in the soccer world.

Correction: a correction has been made to the time of the World Cup draw. Previously, we listed the draw beginning at 10PM EST; the draw began at 10AM.

Happy Friday, all.

It’s been another wild week in the world of football or soccer, or whatever the hell you choose to call this sport. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: you’ve stumbled upon the right site (and segment) that serves to help you, the Fan, relive and catch up on the latest news involving The Beautiful Game.

Here’s what you may have missed, and what is yet to come.

NCAA Soccer

Lower Merion High School and Philadelphia Union Youth Academy graduate, Isaiah Holquist, and his teammates on the University of Chicago men’s soccer team are one win away from playing in a NCAA Division III national championship.

Holquist played four years of high school soccer at Central League perennial power Lower Merion. He began his journey with the Union Youth Academy in 2013-14, playing on the first U14 team to feature in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for the club.

Holquist, a native of Bala Cynwyd, has featured in all but one of the Maroon’s 22 matches this season, and the outside-back has started 15 of those contests.

For more on Holquist, his journey, and today’s NCAA Div. III Semi-Final, we suggest you give Matt Ralph’sarticle for The Brotherly Game a read.

Philadelphia Union

Union Youth Look to Finish Strong

Both the Union U17 and U19 teams are concluding their 2017 campaigns this week, competing in the Development Academy Winter Showcase, which is being held outside of Tampa, Florida.

On Thursday, the U19 side opened its showcase play, notching a convincing 4–1 victory over Real Salt Lake. Michael Pellegrino (6′), Brenden Aaronson (12′, 60′), and Jeremy Rafanello (24′) each etched their name on the scoresheet for the Union. Aaronson, who featured in 6 matches for Bethlehem Steel FC this season, bagged a brace.

As for the U17 side, the Blue-and-Gold will begin their showcase play at 9AM, against Sockers FC (IL.). The U19s will play their second game at 1PM against Sporting Kansas City.

You can find the entire upcoming schedule for both Union youth teams here.

Global

4 pots, 32 teams.

Tonight is the drawing for the 2018 World Cup, which will be held this Summer in Russia. Hosted by former England striker Gary Lineker and Russian football reporter Maria Komandnaya, the draw is scheduled to begin at 10AM EST.

For more information on how the draw works, including what to expect, we suggest you take a look at Gabriele Marcotti’s latestfor ESPNFC.

Everton Announce Sam Allardyce as New Manager

Talks between both parties have taken place since Monday, but the search to replace sacked manager, Ronald Koeman, has lasted much longer. Everton’s six–week search concluded on Thursday when the club announced it had hired the former England boss to take the Toffees’ reigns. Allardyce and Everton agreed to an 18–month contract.

Major League Soccer

Sounders Cruise to a MLS Cup Final

Seattle Sounders defeated Houston Dynamo 3–0 on Thursday night, in the Second Leg of the Western Conference Final. Victor Rodríguez (22′), Will Bruin (57′), and Clint Dempsey (73′) each tallied a goal to fire the Sounders into the final.

Seattle advances to its second straight MLS Cup Final, after winning the series 5–0on aggregate. In a familiar setting, against a familiar opponent, the Sounders will face host Toronto Football Club at BMO Field in Toronto. Kickoff is slated for 4PM EST, on FS1.

Jozy Altidore’s 60′ minute goal was enough for the Reds, who captured their second straight Eastern Conference Title on Wednesday by defeating their Trillium Cup rival, Columbus Crew SC, 1–0 on both the night and on aggregate.

And on Thursday, Camara opened up in an interview with French daily, L’Equipe, about his decision to retire. The French-born full-back cited his fear of the effects of concussions as his reason to hang up his boots.

“I would have preferred to keep playing, of course. I took quite a few blows to the head last year. I had discussions with the doctors, I did a lot of tests and they showed that I would be taking a risk if I continued playing and didn’t recover properly. So I have decided to call it a day.”